Emergency escapeway for mines.



A. H. SASSB.

EMERGENCY ESGAPEWAY FOR MINES.

APPLICATION EILED JAN.19, 1910.

Patented July 19, 1910.

A. H. SASSE.

EMERGENCY ESGAPEWAY FOR MINES.

Patented July 19, 1910;

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 19, 1910.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

AUGUSTUS H. SASSE, OF PUEBLO, COLORADO.

EMERGENCY ESCAPEWAY FOR MINES.

To all whom 'it may concern;

Be it known that I, AUGUSTUS H. SASSE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Pueblo, in the county of Pueblo and State of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Emergency Escapeways for Mines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to means for preventing disasters in mines, and the object of the invention is to provide means in a mine which will permit of the escape of the workmen in case of any disaster, this means comprehending escape tunnels or tubes of any desired material, which extend through the various workings of the mine, and which are provided with numerous inlets located conveniently to the workmen, and which extend to an escape shaft provided with ladders or equivalent devices, whereby the workmencan make their way from the mine and to the surface of the ground.

Minor objects of the invention are to provide caps for closing the inlet openings to the escape tunnels or tubes, which caps are adapted to be operated from either side of the cap, so as to permit the ingress or egress of persons from the tube to the mine, or vice versa, and also to provide a series of platforms located within an escape shaft, forming resting places for the workmen, from which they can enter either into the main shaft, or climb on up to the surface, these platforms, however, being so constructed as not to interfere with the passage of sound or free circulation of air. 7

In mine disasters, it is very common for a large number of workmen to be caught within the mine by the falling debris, the rising of water, or the presence of gas, and to be unable to escape, for the reason that there are no passages extending to the surface.

My invention contemplates the use within the various tunnels or leads of the mine, of escape tubes which lead to a common escape shaft, as above described, these tubes having a large number of entrance openings, hermetically closed, through which the workmen may pass into the tubes. These tubes, being hermetically closed, are free from gas, are of such character as not to be readily damaged by falling debris, and leading as they do to a common escape shaft or shafts, permit the workmen to escape from Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed January 19, 1910.

Patented July 19, 1910. Serial No. 538,880.

any portion of the mine, these tubes being further connected to each other by a plurality of passages whereby workmen may pass from one tube to another.

For a full understanding of the invention and the merits thereof, and to acquire a knowledge of the details of construction, reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a vertical diagrammatic section of a mine, showing my device as applied thereto; Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof Fig. 3 is a transverse section of one of the escape openings; Fig. 4 is a transverse section of Fig. 3, on the line tl; Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view showing one wall or inlet opening and the lug thereon; Fig. 6 is a transverse section of another form of inlet opening provided with a hinged lid.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the same reference characters.

Referring to these drawings, and particularly to Fig. 1 as showing the general character of my invention, A designates a mine working or tunnel extending out from a shaft B, it being of course understood that these tunnels are of the usual character and extend out wherever necessary, the shaft B being also of the usual character and having therein the usual elevator C.

In each of the tunnels A there is located a tubularduct 2 which is preferably circular in form, as this form gives the greatest resistance to crushing pressure, this duct preferably extending along the entire tun nel. lVhile I have shown a duct 2 which extends along the entire tunnel A, it is to be understood that'the duct might be formed in a number of sections, each section being connected, as hereafter described, to a main escape shaft. As seen in Fig. 1, the duct or escape tube 2 of one tunnel A is connected to the duct of the escape tube 2 of another tunnel by means of the transverse short shafts or ducts 3. These ducts, if they are vertical, are provided on their inner face with ladder rungs 4 or equivalent means whereby workmen may ascend or descend the duct. If the tunnels are on the same level, it will be obvious that the connecting duct 3 will be horizontal, or practically so. Any one of the escape tubes 2 may be connected to the main escape shaft 5. Thus, in the drawing, the lowermost escape tube 2 is shown as being connected to the escape shaft and as passing beneath the main shaft B. It is, however, only necessary that it should pass around the main shaft B, and not intersect the same, as if it intersected the main shaft might be cut ofl by reason of a cave-in or like accident, which would thus prevent the escape of the miners. The escape shaft 5 is preferably parallel to the main shaft B and opens into the main shaft B at a plurality of points, though this is not absolutely necessary. The escape shaft 5 is provided with ladder rungs or equivalent means whereby a miner entering the shaft from any of the escape tubes 2 might climb up the escape shaft, this means being hereafter described in detail.

The escape tubes 2 are closed at their ends, except as hereafter stated, but provided along their length with a plurality of inlet openings each surrounded by an upstanding flange or wall 6 over which fits a cover 7, this covering having the downwardly extending annular flange 8 which fits over the upstanding flange 6. The interior face of the wall 6 is provided with the inwardly projecting lugs 9, preferably diametrically disposed to each other, and the cover 7 has extending down through it the clamps 10, each consisting of a rotatable rod bent at its lower end, as at 11, to fit under and engage with the lugs 9. The upper end of each of the rods is provided with a handle 12, and preferably the lower ends of the rods are also provided with a handle 13 whereby the rods may be turned either from the outside or from the inside. In order that the cover may be placed on quickly, even in intense darkness, I preferably form the upstanding wall 6 with the diametrically op-' posed slots 14 and provide the inner side of the cover with the transverse bar 15 through which the rods 10 of the clamps pass, this transverse bar 15 being upwardly extended at its ends, and then outwardly bent so as to fit into the slot 14. Thus, when the cover 7 is turned until the extremities of the bar 15 engage with the slots 14, the clamps will be in position to engage the lugs 9. Thus, after the workman has unclamped the cover and slipped into the manhole therein, he can then rotate the cover until the bar 15 enters the slots 14, and then by turning the handles 13 rotate the clamps until the lugs 9 are engaged thereby, thus again clamping the cover in position. The inside of the cover or the upper edge of the Wall 6 of the manhole is preferably provided with packing material so as to prevent the inlet of gas.

As before stated, the various escape tubes or ducts communicate one with another and all with the escape shaft 5, either immediately, or by all connecting to a common duct or escape which itself communicates with the shaft 5. The escape shaft 5 is made of any suitable material which will resist heat and resist crushing strain. It is provided upon its inside wall with a series of ladder rungs or equivalent devices 16, and in order to prevent a miner from becoming exhausted while attempting to climb to the top of the escape shaft, it is preferably provided along its length with a series of plat forms 17 These are preferably formed with transverse rods or other openwork constru'ction so that there may be free circulation of air upward through the escape shaft and so that sound may travel through the escape shaft, thus permitting signals to be transmitted either from miners, or from a rescuing party. The wall of the escape shaft 5 is provided preferably at each platform with an inwardly opening door 18 held closed by a latch 19. This door opens in from the main or elevator shaft B. Thus, thereare'doors opening from the escape shaft at various levels into the main, shaft B so that rescuing parties may descend through the main shaft until they find their opening blocked, and then pass into the escape shaft through the door 18, and so pass down into the series of escape tubes, and thus enter any portion of the mine desired so as to remove or care for the wounded or dead.

Preferably, each of the platforms 17 is provided with a trap door 20, likewise of openwork material which is preferably operated by means of a flexible connection 21 passing over a lever or strut 22 attached to the floor. This flexible connection depends into the escape shaft into convenient position to be grasped by a person on the platform below or climbing up the rungs 16 so that as the workman climbs the escape shaft and arrives adjacent to the platform, he may pull upon the flexible connection 21 and lift the door. It will be obvious that the door should normally stay closed in. order to prevent those who enter upon the platform in pitch darkness from falling through the door opening. Hence the necessity of supplying means for opening the door from below. The flexible connection for opening the door is also convenient in case wounded or unconscious men are being carried up the shaft.

As shown in Fig. 1, one end of each of the escape tubes 2 is connected with an air pipe or shaft 23 which extends up to the surface or may be connected to any suitable means for forcing air down through the various escape tubes of the mine. It will be obvious also that even were escape blocked through the escape tubes, it would be possible by means of this air duct 23 and the escape tubes to supply fresh air to miners gathered in any particular part of the mine, as, even though the escape tubes were crushed or deformed by a cave-in, yet there would, in all probability be a passage left sufficient for the inlet of air from the air duct. lVhile it is not absolutely necessary, it will of course be preferable that electric lights be placed within the various escape tubes and the escape shaft so that at the time of an accident, these lights could be turned on and permit the escaping miners to see their way clearly. I have constructed my invention, however, so as to permit the miners to escape without lights. No matter where the miner is at work, he can immediately escape from his section by passing through the adjacent inlet opening into the escape tube, and from thence into the escape shaft. By numbering these inlets both on the inside and outside of the lid or cover, or by providing each of the inlets with indicia indicating the direction of the nearest escape shaft, there would be no difiiculty in a miner finding his way immediately to the surface. Even though the heat in the mine be intense, these escape ducts or tubes would provide for the immediate escape of the men before the heat could be so intense as to affect the practical working of the escape ducts.

In the figures as heretofore described, the lids or covers 7 of the inlet openings are shown as being bodily removable from the wall of the inlet opening, but it is to be understood that these lids might be hinged on one side, as shown in Fig. 6, in which case the lids would only need one clamp which would be located opposite to the hinge. While I have shown two clamps for each lid, it is to be understood that any number might be used for this purpose, and I do not wish to be limited to the particular form of the clamp, as it is obvious that various devices might be used for this purpose. Not only are the escape tubes to be provided with electric lights, but they may also be provided with telephones or other signals connecting with the surface, whereby miners may indicate their exact position to those outside, and direct them as to the rescuing work.

It is important that the vertical ducts 3 should not extend downward directly from any of the horizontal ducts 2, for the reason that this would leave an opening in the floor of the duct 2 which would be exceedingly dangerous to miners creeping along the duct in the dark. Hence, as shown in Fig. 1, the ducts 3 are preferably located to one side of the ducts 2 and communicate with these ducts 2 by lateral openings 3 Thus, there is no danger of a miner falling from one of the openings 3. It is also to be understood that the ducts 2 may any of them extend to the escape shaft 5 and that where they enter the escape shaft 5 a platform 17 is provided.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim is 1. In a mining tunnel, an escape duct or tube extending along the tunnel and provided with an inlet opening, an escape shaft leading to the surface of the ground, with which said escape tube connects, and a cover for the inlet opening having means whereby it may be clamped in position, said means being operable from either side of the lid.

2. In a mine having a plurality of tunnels, an escape tube or duct extending along each of the tunnels and having a plurality of inlet openings, the escape tube of one tunnel being connected to the escape tube of an adjacent tunnel, an escape shaft extending to the surface, with which said escape tubes are connected, lids or covers closing the inlet opening of the escape tubes, and means whereby said covers are clamped in position, said means being operable from either side of the covers.

3. The combination in a mine having a plurality of tunnels, of an escape tube in each of said tunnels and having a plurality of inlet openings, an air duct connected to each of said escape tubes, an escape shaft into which said escape tubes open, and lids or covers closing said inlet openings and having means whereby they may be clamped in position.

4. In a mine having a main shaft and tunnels, an escape tube in each of the tunnels connected to a source of air supply and to each other, an escape shaft with which said escape tubes are connected, manhole covers closing inlets into said escape tubes, a plurality of platforn'is located in the escape shaft and formed of openwork material, ladders mounted in the walls of the escape shaft, and doors opening from the escape shaft at the level of said platforms into the main shaft.

5. In a mine, an escape tube located in the tunnel thereof, having a series of inlet manhole openings provided with removable cov ers, an escape shaft to which said escape tube connects, means for admitting air to the escape tube, a series of open platforms located within the escape shaft, and a ladder on the wall of the escape shaft.

6. In a mine, a main shaft, a series of tunnels running out therefrom, an escape tube located in each of the tunnels and conadjacent to said ladder, and means for oper- 10 nected to a source of fresh air, said tube ating said traps.

having a plurality of manhole openings, In testimony whereof I affix my signature covers for each of the manhole openings, an in presence of two witnesses. 5 escape shaft separate from the main shaft, AUGUSTUS H SASSE with which said escape tubes are connected,

a series of open platforms in the escape lVitnesses:

shaft, a ladder extending up the Wall of the GEO. H. WILLIAMS, escape shaft, traps located in the platforms V. D. GRISARD. 

